The Winter Olympics in Sochi may be the biggest test in many years of how well the purpose of the Olympic Games can be separated from — and elevated above — all else associated with this international spectacle.

Thanks to journalists' use of social media, for example, the world already knows intimately just how thoroughly Russia has prepared to host the athletes themselves — but also how inadequate its preparations have been for the crush of visitors and media.

Then there are the worries about outbreaks of terrorism; indignation over new revelations of Russian government spying on visitors in their hotel rooms; tension because of Russia's sheltering NSA leaker Edward Snowden; and apprehension and concern about the government's crackdown on speech about gay rights issues.

If the opening ceremony — glitches and all — on Friday is any indication, we'd say the potential for so many world-class athletic performances and the grandeur of the scenery can overcome these negatives.

This year, as always, there is something so hopeful about the parade of athletes from every part of the world, and the lighting of the Olympic flame, which this time has traveled a record-setting 39,000 miles. It is so grand and so rare a gathering of the world's nations in pursuit of physical excellence.